LINEN FLAX FACTORIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24325, 15 June 1940, Page 8

LINEN FLAX FACTORIES

ELEVEN 'IN SOUTH ISLAND OUTLINE* OF GOVERNMENTS » PLANS t A Government scheme for the establishment of 11-linen flax processing factories in the South Island was out-, lined at a meeting of about 70 farmers at Rangiora by Mr R. B. Tennent, director of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture. The fac-“ tories, which will be constructed as soon as the machinery is available, will be located at Waikuku. Gust or Oxford. Blenheim, Leeston. Methven, Timaru, Hook, Balclutha, Tapanui, Otautau, and Winton. It is proposed to set up five tank retting mills and six natural flax mills, depending on the suitability of the districts for processing. • The scheme is a development from the promise of the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) to the British Government that New Zealand would grow linen flax to supply fibre needed for manufacture into war supplies. As director of primary production, Mr Tennent is organising a campaign in the South Island for the sowing of at least 14,000 acres of linen flax in the spring. The crops will be grown under contract to the Government, which is arranging for supplies of seed and is also negotiating for the processing of straw after harvest. “With many sources of supply cut off, it is impossible for Britain to obtain enough linen flax for its war requirements, and an S.O.S. has been sent out to New Zealand,” Mr Tennent said. “ For the last three years the department has been experimenting in the growing of flax in the South Island, and it is now in the fortunate position of knowing what districts are most suitable for the crop.” “ One of the difficulties facing us was that in New Zealand there was not sufficient seed to carry out the -proposed programme,” Mr Tennent continued. “ But the British Government is now sending 500 tons of Dutch concurrent pedigree seed, and with the 37 tons at present in the country, we will have enoueh seed to grow 14,000 acres of flax. The proposal will cost' the Government a lot of money, but not going to be asked to grow at a loss.” The crops, if moderately successful, should bring the farmer about £l2 sterling an acre. “ The industry will ultimately be of great importance to us all,” Mr Tennent continued.. “After the war we will need much flax for our own use. and it is probable that the tank retting factories will be permanent.” j Mr Tennent appealed to farmers to revise their plans for the coming season, to meet the requirements for the growing of flax. “In making this appeal, I do not want you to grow linen flax at the expense of wheat, which is of such importance at a time like this. We want 300,000 acres of wheat grown this year, but the more we can mix farming the better it will be.” '